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Rep: Lawler: Sen. Rand Paul’s son unleashed antisemitic and homophobic rant in shocking bar incident

Rep. Mike Lawler (R NY-17) said William Paul, the son of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), approached him and made antisemitic and homophobic remarks.

News 12 Staff

May 14, 2026, 8:32 AM

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A Hudson Valley congressman says he was verbally accosted during an encounter at a Washington, D.C. bar involving a senator’s son.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R NY-17) said William Paul, the son of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), approached him and made antisemitic and homophobic remarks.

Lawler said Paul suggested a Kentucky congressional race outcome would be influenced by “my people” and assumed Lawler was Jewish.

Lawler said he told Paul he is Irish-Italian-Catholic.

During the interaction, Lawler said Paul made additional hateful comments about Jewish people and gay people.

“This is the level of hatred and vitriol…that some of my Jewish colleagues experience, but many of my constituents experience,” Lawler said.

Lawler said he represents one of the largest Jewish populations in the country and vowed to continue standing up for his constituents.

William Paul has since apologized for the incident.

Lawler called the behavior shocking and said there was no excuse for it.

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